Photo: Second from the right is Lee Kyung-chul, the nominee for the next chairman of the Atlanta National Unification Advisory Council.
Atlanta, November 4, 2025 — Lee Kyung-chul, a veteran figure in Atlanta's Korean American business community, has been appointed chairman of the 22nd Atlanta Advisory Council for Democratic Peace and Unification, positioning him to lead regional efforts toward Korean Peninsula reconciliation through October 2027.
The appointment, effective November 1st, places Lee at the helm of the local chapter of South Korea's Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body that channels diaspora perspectives on inter-Korean relations and unification policy. His two-year term comes at a pivotal moment as Seoul navigates complex geopolitical challenges on the peninsula.
“I am personally honored to accept this important responsibility,” Lee said in a statement. “I hope that the Atlanta council will broaden the consensus on peaceful reunification within our local community, leveraging the diverse experiences gained at the Korean American Chamber of Commerce in the Americas.”
Lee emphasized a particular focus on engaging younger generations of Korean Americans. “During my term, I will do my best to ensure that the next generation of Koreans understand the situation on the Korean Peninsula and actively participate in its future,” he said.
From Business Leadership to Diplomatic Engagement
Lee brings extensive community leadership credentials to the role. He currently operates Whale Enterprise, which trades medical supplies and imports various alcoholic beverages. Most prominently, he served as the 20th president of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce in the Americas beginning in 2023, a position that gave him a continental perspective on Korean diaspora concerns.
His civic contributions were formally recognized last month when he received the Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal, at the 19th Annual Korean Day Government Awards. The prestigious honor acknowledges significant contributions to Korean American community development.
Lee's community involvement spans multiple organizations. He chaired the Atlanta Korean Association's Board of Directors from 2012 to 2013 and has served on the board of the Atlanta Korean School, demonstrating sustained commitment to preserving Korean cultural identity and language among diaspora youth.
National Recognition for Predecessor
In a parallel appointment that underscores Atlanta's growing influence in unification discourse, outgoing chairman Kim Hyung-ryul has been elevated to the Steering Committee of the National Unification Advisory Council's Secretariat in Seoul.
The steering committee comprises senior officials and administrative experts — including operations support officers and business team leaders — who provide comprehensive oversight of peaceful unification policy recommendations and proposals. Kim is expected to serve directly under Senior Vice Chairman Lee Hae-chan, giving Atlanta a direct voice in national-level policy formation.
The promotion represents recognition of Kim's effective leadership in Atlanta and suggests the capital city's Korean American community has become an increasingly important node in Seoul's diaspora engagement strategy.
A Growing Diaspora Voice
The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, established to incorporate diverse perspectives on inter-Korean relations, has long maintained chapters in major Korean diaspora communities worldwide. Atlanta's chapter reflects the city's emergence as a significant hub for Korean Americans, particularly in the northern suburbs where Korean-owned businesses, churches, and cultural institutions have proliferated over the past two decades.
The council's work extends beyond policy recommendations. Local chapters organize educational programs, facilitate dialogue on peninsula issues, and help bridge understanding between Korean immigrants, subsequent generations, and the broader American community. In Atlanta, this mission takes on particular significance given the region's diverse population and the second and third generation's often limited direct connection to Korea.
Lee's emphasis on engaging younger Korean Americans addresses a persistent challenge: maintaining diaspora interest in unification issues as generational distance from the Korean War era increases. Many second and third-generation Korean Americans have limited personal connection to divided family narratives that once dominated community consciousness.
“The situation on the Korean Peninsula can seem distant to young people born and raised here,” acknowledged one longtime community observer who requested anonymity. “Lee's business background and communication skills could help make these issues relevant to a new generation.”
Looking Ahead
The full roster of the 22nd advisory committee members will be announced once the regional council chairman appointment process concludes. The appointments are expected to draw from Atlanta's diverse Korean American community, including business leaders, academics, religious figures, and younger professionals.
Lee's chairmanship begins as inter-Korean relations remain in a protracted freeze, with minimal official dialogue and persistent tensions. While the advisory council cannot directly shape peninsula diplomacy, it serves as a channel for diaspora perspectives to reach Seoul policymakers and helps maintain focus on long-term reconciliation goals even during difficult periods.
For Atlanta's Korean American community, the appointments signal growing recognition of the city's importance within the broader diaspora — and an opportunity to ensure that Korean American voices, shaped by unique experiences bridging two societies, contribute meaningfully to discussions about the peninsula's future.
Those interested in the Atlanta Advisory Council's activities can expect announcements regarding public programs and engagement opportunities once the full committee is constituted under Lee's leadership.
